Features

Outfit details:


DIY Beehive:

Recreate the look with Jessica's beehive tutorial:



How would you describe your style?

Mostly 50s style, vintage or vintage inspired clothes but it really depends on how I feel when I'm getting dressed that morning.

What's your favourite piece in your wardrobe?

I hardly ever get an opportunity to wear it, but it has to be this incredible red gingham 1950s dress I found in Melbourne. I spotted it on the rack in a huge antique/vintage shop and kept thinking about it as I walked all around the shop and when I went back to it I saw that the label inside the collar was "Henry Lee" aka one of my favourite songs by Nick Cave featuring PJ Harvey and also the namesake of my blog, so what I'm trying to say is more than any other item of clothing I own, that dress was meant for me to find it.

Who are your style icons?

I suppose when I first really started experimenting with my style about 5 years ago my biggest inspirations were my favourite bloggers but as my style developed I started taking inspiration from everything and everyone around me. So I suppose there isn't really anyone who's style I try to emulate.

Do you have any favourite designers?

I love designers like Orla Kiely and Alannah Hill and less expensive brands like Dahlia, but to be honest over half my wardrobe is op-shopped or vintage so labels and designers aren't super important to me.

Where are your favourite places to shop for new clothes?

Op-shops and ASOS are basically the two main places I shop. And in Australia we have a shop called Dangerfield (and their clearance outlets called ClearIt) which I have a lot of clothes from too.

Do you make or customise your outfits?

Not really, based on the fact that I don't have a working sewing machine or much free time to learn, but it's definitely something I'd love to be able to do one day.

Do you have any great tips for mixing up and personalising an outfit?

- If you're not overly confident with your style, fashion blogs are a wonderful resource. Scour your favourite blogs for outfits you like and then look through your wardrobe for similar items you can try and recreate the look with.

- As you're looking through blogs, try and take note of the basic pieces people have and use in lots of different ways, i.e. a plain black circle skirt or ballet flats, etc. Build up a solid foundation of basics you can rely on and you can try out a top you're not sure about with a skirt you know goes with anything.

- Op-shopping is amazing because it allows you to try out things you won't find anywhere else and you don't have to spend much money to do it. My biggest tip if you never seem to find anything you like is to pick something out and try and picture it in your wardrobe at home and think about what you could wear it with - even gems look ugly in an op-shop when they're next to all the other ugly things, but they can look amazing with what you have at home.

- Experiment at home when you've got a bit of time, not when you have to pick something in 5 minutes and run out the door - do your hair and makeup the way you like it and try out some different outfits. Take photos of the ones you like on your phone and when you have to run out the door the next morning you can look through the photos and pick an outfit you like a lot more easily - it totally helps avoid that "I hate everything in my wardrobe" feeling.

- Accessories are key - I don't really wear jewellery but belts can completely transform an outfit! And hats are a great one too, I think I have about 10 berets by now.

- Find a couple of hairstyles or make-up looks that you love and practice until they're easy and put these on rotation. Even though they're not to do with clothes, they can really help complete your outfit and make it look a lot more "done" with only five minutes more effort

All of these are things I started out consciously doing and as you get more confident with your style it just come naturally without you even thinking about it anymore.

 Which other fashion blogs do you love to read?

Old favourites wishwishwish.net & thecherryblossomgirl.com as well as www.harlowdarling.com and not strictly fashion but hannahandlandon.blogspot.com is beautiful

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